Thermostatic regulating valve



Jan. 1, 1952 R. D. RHOADS 2,531,045

THERMOSTATIC REGULATING VALVE Filed Sept. '1, 194a 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 IN VENTO R.

ATTU RN L Y's Jan. 1, 1952 R. D, RHQADS 2,581,045

THERMOSTATIC REGULATING VALVE Fil ed Sept. 1, 1948 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 6 QZ9.6: J29 ////////A I N VEN TOR.

ATTD RN EYS Patented Jan. 1, 1952 UNITED STAT ES PATENT OFFICE THERMOSTATIC REGULATING VALVE 1 Robert D. Rhoads, Franklin, Pa. Application September 1, 1-948, Serial No. 47,191

3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to thermo-responsive control devices particularly of the type influenced by the temperature of a fluid in a container wherein the device maintains fluids in the container at substantially constant temperature by controlling the fluid, such as gas, that supplies heat to the container, and in particular the invention relates to a valve actuated by a thermoresponsive element mounted on a wall of the container wherein the thermo-responsive element actuates the valve and thereby controls the flow of fuel to a burner that supplies heat to the container, and wherein the valve is so constructed that when it is in thesubstantially closed position, a small amount of. fuel .passes through to maintain a pilot flame in the burner.

The invention also includes means for adjusting a thermo-responsive element in a valve from the exterior of the valve and with the valve in operation.

This device is adapted for other uses than the application of the device to a household gas fluid hot water heater. It can operate as efficiently using fuel oil instead of gas. It can be installed for application as a bonnet overheat control on a gas or oil fired furnace. It can also be used on commercial heat treating and annealing furnaces. There are also many other applications for the device that are of the nature outlined above. These applications are noted to show that the device is not to be limited to the application 'to be fully described and illustrated but is susceptible of many other applications as outlined above.

With the above and other objects and advantages in view, the invention consists of the novel details of construction, arrangement, and combination of parts more fully hereinafter described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of 'an embodiment of the invention in operative position on the wall of a water tank, a fragmentary section of which is shown for-purposes of illustra- .tion;

. Figure 2 is a front view of the device, with the cover removed and partly broken away, and partly in section, to show the details of the valve;

Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the valve seat;

Figure 5 is a sectional view similar to that shown in Figure 1, illustrating a modified form of ,the invention; v V

V Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view on the line 6-6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a transverse sectional view on the line 1-! of Figure 5; v

Figure 8 is a side .elevational view of the form of valve element shown in Figure 5; V

Figure 9 is an end view of the valve element shown in Figure 8; and

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the valve element of the design shown in Figure 5. 1.

. Referring more in detailto the drawing, and especially to the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, the valve embodying the invention is designated by the reference numeral l0.

The valve comprises. a rectangular shaped or box-like valve body H, which is provided with a rectangular shaped cavity or recess 12.

The body H is positioned against the wall l3 of a water boiler, and held by brackets M, which are suitably mounted on the -wa I3 with screws !5. a

. The body H is provided with a port l6, at one end, and at the opposite end, with a similar port [1. These ports communicate with the cavity l2 and pipes l8 and !9 are threaded in the body and are in communication with the ports.

A combustible fluid is introduced into the body I l, into the cavity I2, from either end, so that fluid might pass upwardly from the source of fluid or downwardly. ponversely, the fluid may pass in either direction to a burner which is adapted to heat the water W in the boiler.

Removably mounted in the port I! is the tubular portion of a nipple providing a valve seat 20 which has a square head or flange 2|. The head is provided with an arcuate face or seat 22 having a central port 23 forming a continuation of the port I! and communicating therewith. The head is provided with a ridge providing a stop 24 at one end of the seat 22 to limit the movementof the end of the bi-metal thermostat or thermo-responsive element 25.

The element 25 coacting with the seat 22 forms a valve and the element has a contact portion 25 which is positioned in close contact with the body I l at the rear oi the cavity 12, and a second portion 27 which extends outwardly from the portion 26 and is downwardly inclined in relation thereto. Formed on the end of the portion 21 of the element 25 is a foot 28 and the end face of the foot is shaped to conform to the shape or curvature of the arcuate surface 22 of the valve seat 20. A slight clearance of about /ioooth of an inch is provided between the lower surface of the foot 28 and the arcuate surface 22 to permit a small amount of fluid to pass through the valve to maintain a small flame or pilot light in the burner continuously. It is not desired to be lim-- ited to the clearance of /10001711 of an inch and the thermo-responsive element is provided with slotted openings 33 through which it is mounted by screws 32 against the rear surface of the cavity in the valve body I I. This provides means for adjusting the amount of pilot fluid passing through the valve.

The valve body II is provided with a cover plate 3| that is secured thereto by screws 30.

The cover is provided with a centrally positioned threaded opening 29 that is aligned, with the bend portion of the valve element25. An ad-' justing screw 34 having a knurled head 35 is positioned in the opening 29 and the inner end of the screw is provided with a small end 36 on which is positioned a spring 37. The opposite. end of the spring abuts the valve element 25 so that tension applied to the spring by the screw 34 controls the movement of the thermoresponsive element and makes it possible to adjust the temperature of the fluid in the container. A look nut 38 is provided on the screw 34 so that the valve may be set to maintain a substantially constant temperature of fluid in the. container and then locked in this position by the lock nut.

With the body H secured as illustrated in intimate contact with the wall of a water boiler 01' other container the portion 26 of the thermoresponsive element 25 will be positioned in close contact with the container and heat transmitted through the wall thereof will influence the bimetal element and actuate the valve. As the temperature in the container increases the foot 28 of the element 25 will move across the arcuate surface 22 in the valve seat 28 and substantially close the port H. The greater the temperature rise the greater the movement of the valve element and as it travels across the valve seat, the'control of fluid to a burner actuated thereby will be reduced and the movement of the valve element will continue until the foot reaches the stop 24. The temperature of the fluid in the container is controlled by the adjusting screw 34 through the tension of the spring 37 as'the more tension that is applied to the spring, the higher the temperature must be,to actuate the valve.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Figures to 9' inclusive, the valve embodying this form is designated by the reference character 43.

The valve 40, like the valve 10, comprises a rectangular shaped housing 1 H having a rectangular shaped cavity or recess 42 centrally thereof.

The housing 4!, is provided with a port 43, at one end, and at the opposite end with a similar port 44. A supply of fluid is introduced into the cavity 42 in the housing 4i from either end so that the fluid may pass through the valve in either direction. This form of the invention can be used to control a combustible fluid or a cooling fluid the direction of flow and position of the valve determining the fluid to be used.

In this form of the device, a. tubular portion 45 of the valve body 46 is removably' mounted in the port 44. On the outer end of the portion 45 there is formed the square shaped head 47 which is positioned within the cavity 42. The head. 41 and portion 45 have a central port 48 ill ' the form shown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive.

and the head is provided with a lateral port 49 at right angles to the port 48, the port 49 having an open end 50 at one side of the head 41.

A bi-metal thermostat valve member 5| is adapted to engage and close the open end 53 of the head 41 of the body 46.

The valve member 5| has a straight portion 55 adapted to control the port 49 and this portion is parallel to the face of the head 41 about the open end, 50. The portions 52 and 55 are being joined by the angularly disposed portion 56 of the member 5|.

The housing 40 like the body 10, is provided with relatively spaced tapped bores 57 to receive the screws or bolts 58 which, passing through the cover 59, retain the cover in position to the housing.

The cover 59 is provided with a tapped opening 60 in line with the end of the portion 5| and the bolts 54 retain the valve in position so that alignment. of these elements is constantly maintained.

Threadably mounted in the opening fill is an adjustment screw 6| having av knurled head 62 on the outer end, thereof for the adjustment of the screw. The inner end of the screw 6| has a reduced guide portion 63 on which is positioned one end of a spring 64. The opposite end of the spring abuts the valve 5| so that tension applied. to the spring 64v by the screw 'iiii regulates the temperature at which the valve 51 will operate. The screw 6| carriesv a. lock nut 65 which when tightened, will hold the screw Si in the. desired adjustedp-osition.

In this valve there is provided a small slot 55 in the face of the head 47 which provides communicating means between the port 48 and the cavity 42 in the interior of the housing 41 whereby a small amount of gas. or other fuel may pass through the valve to maintain a small flame pilot light in the burner when the valve is shut 01?.

This. form of the invention can be mounted in the same manner as previously described for It can be usedfor a cooling or heating medium and the direct metal to metal contact of the body with the receptacle to be controlled provides a direct path for heat conduction between the actuating valve and the heated or cooled fluid in the receptacle.

The valve and the orifice in either form is easily replaceable as desired.

A valve has thus been provided thatoperating directly through contact with the heated fluid, eliminates any intermediate. linkage between the fluid and valve, contains only one moving part that will not easily get out of order, and does not require drilling or tapping of the boiler to be installed.

The cover is sealed tightly to prevent escape of the combustible fluid and with the fuel supply pipes properly sealed in the body, there is no chance of fire or other hazards accompanying the use or a combustible fluid.

The reaction of the valve due to its closecontact with the boiler is more spontaneous than are valves usually employed for this purpose, and the temperature of the combustible fluid has little efiect on the action of the valve.

It is believed that from the foregoing description, the operation and construction of'the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and it is to be understood that changesin the minor details of construction may be resorted to,

provided they fall within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a fuel control valve, the combination which comprises an elongated box-like casing having end walls with threaded openings therein, side walls and a base providing a valve body, a cover plate on said valve body, a nipple having a flange on one end and having a ridge providing a stop on one side of-the flange positioned in the valve body with the nipple extended into the threaded opening of one of the end walls with the flange resting against the inner surface of said wall, said flange having an arcuate outer face a flat bi-metal strip with a flange at one end positioned in the said valve body, and means mounting the said bi-metal strip against the inner surface of the base of said casing with the flange on the end thereof positioned to coact with the arcuate surface of the flange of the nipple and with the ridge at the edge of the flange positioned to limit the movement of the said bi-metal element.

2. In a fuel control valve, the combination which comprises an elongated box-like casing having end walls with threaded openings therein, side walls and a base providing a valve body, a cover plate on said valve body, a nipple having a flange on one end and having a ridge providing a stop on one side of the flange positioned in the valve body with the nipple extended into the threaded opening of one of the end Walls and with the flange resting against the inner surface of said wall, said flange having an arcuate outer face, a flat bi-metal strip with a flange at one end positioned in the said valve body, means mounting the said bi-metal strip against the inner surface of the base of said casing with the flange on the end thereof positioned to coact with the arcuate surface of the flange of the nipple and with the ridge at the edge of the flange positioned to limit the movement of the saidbi-metal element, a spring carried by the cover plate of the said valve body and positioned to restrain movement of the said bi-metal element, and means adjusting the tension of the said spring.

3. In a fuel control valve, the combination which comprises an elongated box-like casing having end Walls with threaded openings therein, side walls and a base providing a valve body, a cover plate on said valve body, a nipple having a flange on one end and having a ridge providing a stop on one side of the flange positioned in the valve body with the nipple extended into the inner end of the threaded opening of one of the end walls with the flange restingv against the inner surface of said Wall, said flange having an arcuate outer face, a flat bi-metal strip with a flange at one end positioned in the said valve body, and means mounting the said bi-metal strip against the inner surface of the base of said casing with the flange on the end thereof positioned to coact with the arcuate surface of the flange of the nipple and with the ridge at the edge of the flange positioned to limit the movement of the said bi-metal element, the end surface of the flange carried by the said bi-metal strip being spaced from the arcuate surface of the flange of the nipple providing sumcient clearance for a small amount of fuel to pass through the valve body continuously.

ROBERT D. RHOADS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the flle of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,219,516 Whittelsey Mar. 20, 1917 1,595,959 Barrows Aug. 10, 1926 1,622,778 Fowler Mar. 29, 1927 1,753,968 Root Apr. 8, 1930 1,888,225 Hetherington Nov. 22, 1932 1,968,553 Heitger July 31, 1934 2,269,863 Shaw Jan. 13, 1942 2,421,713- Potter June 3, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 136,532 Great Britain Nov. 25, 1920 

